Mia Patel
The phrase winner winner chicken dinner gained mainstream popularity after its inclusion in the 2008 film 21. The phrase is used in the movie to describe what blackjack dealers would exclaim when the protagonist wins a round. While the exact origins of the phrase are disputed, it is widely believed to have originated in Las Vegas casinos in the mid-20th century. At that time, a chicken dinner was the cheapest meal available, costing around $1.79, while the standard bet was $2. Thus, winning a bet meant having enough money to buy a chicken dinner, leading to the popularization of the phrase winner winner chicken dinner.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Phrase | Winner winner chicken dinner |
| Origin | Disputed, but may be associated with gamblers in Las Vegas casinos in the mid-20th century |
| Popular Culture | Became popular after its inclusion in the 2008 film "21" |
| Use | To celebrate a victory or success, particularly in gambling or games |
| Other Appearances | Movies like "Zookeeper" (2011) and "Tin Cup" (1996); Video games like PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG) |
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What You'll Learn
The phrase's origin
The exact origin of the phrase "winner winner chicken dinner" is disputed, but it is believed to have come from gamblers in the mid-20th century. One theory suggests that the phrase originated in Las Vegas casinos, where a chicken dinner from the casino cafeteria cost just under $2—the same amount as the standard bet for many gamblers. So, if a gambler won a bet, they could effectively afford a chicken dinner, hence the phrase "winner winner chicken dinner".
Another theory posits that the phrase was coined by back-alley gamblers during the Great Depression of the 1930s. These desperate gamblers would bet whatever they had, often their day's meals, in hopes of winning a chicken dinner. The phrase is commonly associated with gambling, particularly Blackjack, and is used to celebrate victories and big successes or to call out someone for being lucky.
The phrase gained mainstream popularity after its inclusion in the 2008 film "21," a heist drama based on a true story about a group of MIT students who become trained experts in card counting and go on to win millions in Las Vegas casinos. In the movie, "winner winner chicken dinner" is described as the phrase Blackjack dealers call out when the protagonist wins a round. The phrase has also appeared in other movies, including "Zookeeper" (2011) and "Tin Cup" (1996), and has been used in popular culture, such as in the video game PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG).
Today, "winner winner chicken dinner" is commonly used to congratulate someone for winning a game or celebrating their own success, and it can be applied to any type of game or competition. The phrase has become synonymous with victory or success, whether it's a small win or a bigger achievement.
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'21' made it popular
The 2008 film "21" starring Kevin Spacey is widely credited with popularizing the phrase "winner winner chicken dinner". The film is a heist drama based on the true story of a group of MIT students who become trained experts in card counting in Blackjack and go on to win millions in Las Vegas casinos.
In the movie, the phrase is described as what Blackjack dealers call out when the protagonist wins a round. While the phrase was already used before the film, particularly in the world of gambling, it was "21" that brought it to mainstream popularity.
The phrase is an old celebratory expression used to announce a victory or success, especially in gambling. Its origins are disputed, but the most popular theory is that it comes from Las Vegas casinos in the late 1920s during the Depression Era in the United States. During this time, a chicken dinner from a casino cafeteria cost just under $2, which was also the standard bet for many gamblers. So, if someone won a bet, they could effectively buy a chicken dinner, hence the phrase "winner winner chicken dinner".
Another theory, proposed by David Guzman, author of "A Guide to Craps Lingo from Snake Eyes to Muleteeth", is that the phrase was coined by back-alley gamblers during the Great Depression of the 1930s. These desperate gamblers would bet whatever they had, hoping to win a chicken dinner.
Regardless of its origins, the phrase "winner winner chicken dinner" has become a popular way to celebrate a victory or success, whether in gambling, sports, video games, or any other context.
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It's used in other films
The phrase "winner winner chicken dinner" gained mainstream popularity after its inclusion in the 2008 film "21". However, it is also used in other films.
The phrase appears in the 2011 film "Zookeeper", starring Kevin James and Rosario Dawson. In this film, the protagonist, Griffin Keyes, played by James, works at a zoo and is gifted with the ability to communicate with animals. It is likely that the phrase is used in a scene where Griffin interacts with the animals, possibly celebrating a victory or a successful achievement.
"Winner winner chicken dinner" can also be heard in the 1996 film "Tin Cup", starring Kevin Costner and Rene Russo. The film follows a down-on-his-luck golf pro who tries to rebuild his image by qualifying for the US Open. Given the nature of the film's plot, the phrase likely celebrates a successful golf shot, hole, or tournament victory.
In addition to its use in films, the phrase has also been popularised by the multiplayer video game PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG). The game's creator, Brendan "PlayerUnknown" Greene, included the phrase as a celebratory victory message when a player emerges as the sole survivor of a match. This has contributed to the phrase's popularity and usage outside the gaming community as well.
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It's used in video games
The phrase "winner winner chicken dinner" is used in video games, particularly in PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG). PUBG is a popular multiplayer shooter battle royale game released in 2017. Its creator, Brendan "PlayerUnknown" Greene, included the phrase "winner winner chicken dinner" in many of the game's battle royale modes. When a player is the sole survivor of a match, the phrase is displayed as a celebratory victory message.
The phrase's inclusion in PUBG has led to its popularity in game-related content and memes to celebrate victory. It is also used outside the PUBG community as a synonym for victory, from smaller, unexpected wins to bigger successes.
The phrase's origin is disputed, but it may have come from gamblers in the 1930s. The most popular origin story is that a chicken dinner at a Las Vegas casino cost $2, the same amount as a standard bet. So, if a gambler won a bet, they could afford a chicken dinner. Another theory suggests that the phrase was coined by back-alley gamblers during the Great Depression, who would bet whatever they had in hopes of winning a chicken dinner.
The phrase gained mainstream popularity after its inclusion in the 2008 film "21", a heist drama film about a group of MIT students who become experts in card counting and win millions in Las Vegas casinos. In the movie, the phrase is described as what Blackjack dealers call out when the protagonist wins a round.
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It's a synonym for victory
The phrase "winner winner chicken dinner" is commonly used as a synonym for victory. It is often used to celebrate a triumph or success, especially in gambling. The phrase is believed to have originated in the late 1920s during the Depression Era in the United States. At that time, a chicken dinner in a Las Vegas casino cafeteria cost just under $2, which was also the standard amount for a bet among gamblers. Therefore, winning a bet meant effectively winning a chicken dinner.
The phrase gained mainstream popularity after its inclusion in the 2008 film "21," a heist drama about a group of MIT students who become expert Blackjack card counters and win millions in Las Vegas casinos. In the movie, the phrase is used by Blackjack dealers to announce a win. However, the phrase has also been used in other films, such as "Zookeeper" (2011) and "Tin Cup" (1996).
"Winner winner chicken dinner" is also commonly used in the gaming community, especially in the popular 2017 multiplayer shooter video game PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG). In PUBG, the phrase is displayed as a celebratory message when a player is the sole survivor of a match, and it has since become a popular meme to express victory in game-related content.
The phrase has become a versatile way to express success or victory in various contexts, from smaller wins to bigger triumphs, and can be used to congratulate others or celebrate one's own achievements.
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Frequently asked questions
The phrase is used to celebrate a victory or success. It is commonly used in the world of gambling, particularly in Blackjack, where a dealer might say it to a player who has won a round.
The phrase became popular after its inclusion in the 2008 film "21", starring Kevin Spacey. In the movie, it is described as the phrase Blackjack dealers call out when the protagonist wins a round.
The exact origin of the phrase is disputed. It may have originated in Las Vegas casinos in the mid-20th century when a chicken dinner cost $2, the same amount as a standard bet. So, if you won a bet, you could buy a chicken dinner. Another theory suggests that it was coined by back-alley gamblers during the Great Depression when gamblers would bet everything they had, hoping to win a chicken dinner.
The phrase has also been used in the movies "Zookeeper" (2011) and "Tin Cup" (1996).
The phrase is commonly used in the video game "PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds" (PUBG). It is displayed as a celebratory victory message when a player is the sole survivor of a match. It is also used outside the PUBG community as a synonym for victory.
